Washington: Business magnate Elon Musk, who heads Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under President Donald Trump’s administration, sparked controversy after mocking a White House video on deporting undocumented immigrants. Musk replied to the official post on his X account with the remark, “Haha wow.”
The White House video, titled “ASMR: Illegal Alien Deportation Flight,” showed footage of migrants being deported. This video was intended to highlight the Trump administration’s strict new immigration policies. According to Seattle branch of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the operation began in Seattle and aimed to send undocumented immigrants back to their home countries.
Haha wow 🧌🏅 https://t.co/PXFXpiGU0U
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 18, 2025
Reactions on Musk’s remarks
The controversy stems not only from Musk’s comment but also from the White House’s use of the term ASMR. ASMR, which stands for Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response, refers to soothing audiovisual content designed to relax viewers with soft sounds and repetitive visuals.
This type of content is commonly found on platforms like YouTube and TikTok, often used to relieve stress and anxiety. Critics have argued that linking ASMR to the deportation of migrants trivializes a serious issue and suggests the video was meant to provide entertainment or comfort to its audience.
While conservative groups supporting strict immigration policies praised Musk’s remark, human rights advocates criticized it as insensitive to the hardships faced by migrants. Since becoming the DOGE director, Musk has been vocal about supporting austerity measures and stricter immigration regulations.
White House’s Valentine’s Day post
This is not the first time the Trump administration has faced backlash for its messaging around immigration. On Valentine’s Day, the White House shared a controversial card on its official X account targeting illegal immigrants. The card, which featured a pink background with hearts and stern photos of President Trump and “border czar” Tom Homan, read: “Roses are red, violets are blue, come here illegally and we’ll deport you.”
Reactions to the Valentine’s Day card were similarly divided. Some users found it disrespectful and offensive, while others praised the bold messaging. One user commented, “Oh my God, I love Trump so much! Happy Valentine’s Day, Mr. President.” Another added, “When the White House X account posts things like this, we know America is back.”
The Trump administration has taken a tough stance on illegal immigration, treating all undocumented immigrants as criminals subject to deportation. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the administration’s policies, saying, “Entering the United States illegally is, by definition, a criminal act, regardless of whether the individual has committed other offenses.”
